Cotton chopper and cultivator.



Nu. 7l6,696.

Patented Dec. 23, I902.

H. C. FUSTER. COTTON CHOPPER AND CULTIVATDR.

1 Application filed July 5. 1902 3 Sheets- Sheet I.

(No Model.)

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Na. 7l6,696. Patented Dec. 23, I902.

H. B; FDSTER.

COTTON CHOPPER AND CULTIVATOB.

(Application filed. July 5. 1902.! 7 (No Model.) 3 Shegts-Shegt 2.

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H. c. rosran. COTTON CHOPPER AND CULTIVATOB.

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(No Modal.)

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U ITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

HENRY C. FOSTER, OF TUTWILER, MISSISSIPPI.

COTTON CHOPPER AND CULTIVATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 716,696, dated December23, 1902.

Application filed July 5, 1902. Serial NollAOQ. (No model.)

to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as willenable others skilled in the art 'to which it appertaius to make and usethe invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and toletters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

Figure 1 is a plain view of the invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation ofthe same with parts broken away. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3,Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective View of the plow and colters.Figs. 5and 6 are rear and front views, respectively, of thechopper-disk. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the scraper K. Fig.8 is a detail side elevation of the chopper-disk, and Fig. 9 shows thescraper and chopper-disk and adjacent parts in section. Fig. 10 is afragmentary plan View illustrating the swinging movement of thegear-carrying hanger. Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of thegear-carrying hanger and adjacent parts.

This invention relates to cotton choppers and cultivators; and itconsists in the novel construction and combinations of parts, ashereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings,illustrating the invention,the letteradesignates the main loop-frame made of steel tubing. of the loop-framehave at their forward ends parallel extensions ct a, which are securedto the tongue I). This loop-frame is arranged in the horizontal planeand with it is com bleed the transverse axle-bar 0, also of steeltubing, said axle-bar being connected to the horizontal loop-frame atone side by means of a clamp at c. The other end of this axleframeiscentered upon the driving-shaft d at (1, said driving-shaft beingrigidly secured to the side wheel A of the machine and having a bearingin the loop-frame, usually by means of a bond 1) of the latter, and aninner bearing in one of the longitudinal bars B B of the frame. Thesebars B B are longitudinal braces and are of flat iron or steel, theirThe arms.

ends being twisted half-round, as at B, and perforated for the clampse,whercby they are secured to the loop-frame in parallel position, theinterval between them being sufficient for the introduction of themoving parts of the mechanism,'whereof the main drivinggear (3 at theinner end of the driving-wheel shaft is guarded not only by theseparallel brace-bars, but by the upright bow portion ofthe axle-bar c.The seat I) is arranged on the loop-frame between the bars B B at thereanend of the machine. A rotary shaft F extends longitudinally betweenthe bars 13 B and is provided with front and rear bearings f f. At itsrear end this shaft carries a pinion g, engaging the drive-gear O, andat its front end a friction-wheel G, adapted to engage thefriction-wheel h at the front end of the rotary shaft h of thechopper-disk H. The shaft It works in a bearingzin a pivoted hanger I,pivoted at its upper end at t' to a bracket 11 of the frame, and therear end of the shaft has a swinging bearing 1, which is provided withan operating-lever J for the purpose of moving this shaft forwardlyagainst the tension of the springj to bring the wheels G and h inengagement, such spring normally holding those wheels apart. The bearing.2, being a little in rear of the friction-wheel h, provides forengagement and disengagement of the friction-wheels.

In front of the seat, the frame is provided between the bars B B with abail device J, on which rest'the treadle-arms k, which extend over andrest upon the bail device J.

-' These treadle-arms are usually secured to the top of the scraper K,which is a broad transverse plate extending downward and forward andterminating in two scraper edges 11, having between them a triangularinterval Z increasing npward in the manner shown. By means of thetreadle-arms the chopper-disk and scraper may be swung to one side orthe other upon the pivot I of hanger I to guide the chopper-disk andscraper in their work.

The chopper-disk or rotary hoe H is located in rear of the scraper, itsperimeter extending about on a level with the scraper edges. Thischopping-disk is of concave form, its concavity being forward,and it isprovided with one, two, or four openings m in its peripheral portionbetween the spoke portions n and with corresponding hoe-blades p of arcform extending forward of the spokes and a little in rear thereof also,the forward portion or point of each blade closing nearly up to the heelportion in front of it and being so flanged on its upper portion, as atq, that such flange is directed somewhat within the path of the heel toallow an interval between for the passage of the stalks which are to beleft standing. The flange serves as a protection for these stalks. Abovethis passage is the large opening m for the plants, providing aninterval which allows them to stand upright during the choppingoperation.

At the forward end of the machine is shown a double plow R havingrolling colters, between which the downward and outward curved blades 1'r extend, passing behind the colters and outward in rear of their lowerportions, these entering points terminating a little in rear of thecenters of these colters in the manner .indicated. The blades arecarried by a serpentine curved bar V, which is pivoted to the pole orframe in front and is connected to an angle-lever-operating device Q).

When it is desired to use the machine as a cultivator simply, thechopper and scraper may be removed and, if desired, a second double plowmay be attached in lieu thereof to a pivot-bearing in front of theloop-frame.

This machine is of simple character, there being only a drivinggear-wheel and pinion used in connection with two friction-wheels. Theengaging or disengaging movement of the swinging frame is very slight,so that the disk is put instantly in or out of gear with the drivingmechanism. The hoe and scraper works resting on the ground and is guidedin its work by means of the treadles connected to the swinging frame.This frame is very easily governed 011 account of its fulcrumbearingnear the friction-wheel of its shaft, and the operator has thoroughcontrol of its movements,enabling him to cause the hoe and scraper toconform in its action to the curves and irregularities of the ground andto follow curvatures of the drill-line. The hoe is designed to cut witha sliding motion and its work is smooth. The point of the blade entersbetween the plants, and the stalk which is to be left remains standingin upright position.

Having described this invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1s-- 1. In a cotton chopper and cultivator, thecombination with a frame and its drive-wheel, wheel shaft and drivegear-wheel, of a swinging gear-carrying hanger, a rotary hoe, and itsshaft in connection with such gear, and treadle devices for controllingthe motion of said swinging gear-carrying hanger, substantially asspecified.

2. In a cotton chopper and cultivator, the combination with avertically-pivoted swinging hanger, a shaft pivoted thereon, the hoeattached to said shaft in rear, the frictionwheel attached thereto infront, and a fulcrum-bearing for said shaft behind the friction wheel,and means for operating said shaft, substantially as specified.

3. In a cotton chopper and cultivator, the gear-operated swinging shaft,and its rotary concave chopping-hoe having the peripheral arc-form bladeprovided with a protectingflange on its forward point portion, a heelportion, a passage between the point portion and the preceding heelportion, and an opening above said passage, substantiallyas specified.

t. In a cotton chopper and cultivator, the swinging hanger,and a rotaryshaft fulcrumed therein in gear with a drive-shaft of thecarrying-wheel, a rotary chopping-disk on said shaft, a two-bladescraper in front of the hoe, and means in connection therewith foroperating said swinging hanger, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY O. FOSTER.

Witnesses:

H. H. HARRISON, G. S. LAMKIN.

